Summary Incumbent of this position is assigned to the Mental Health Service at NCHCS and functions as part of an interdisciplinary team. Services are carried out in full accordance with specific program goals and broad objectives of the VA health care system. Responsibilities are focused on providing direct services, as well as consultative and educational activities. Services will generally be provided in the clinic, and under certain circumstances, via telehealth. Responsibilities The Supervisory Licensed Professional Mental health Counselor functions as the Clinical Operations Manager (COM) and works in close collaboration with the Mental Health (MH) Management Team to facilitate the logistical and operational needs across MH programs at their site. The Redding COM directly supervises a workforce of approximately 8 employees. The COM helps to ensure that the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program BHIP Team meets the overall performance standards, measures, and mission of the VA and the BHIP Program. The COM ensures timely, integrated, efficient and effective delivery of MH service across the continuum of care for Veterans who are served at that site. Duties for the position may include but are not limited to: Ensures efficient delivery of services related to BHIP program, involving both day-to-day operations and long-term planning and growth; Attends and/or facilitates regularly scheduled treatment team meetings to ensure efficiency and continuity of service delivery; Assists the BHIP Program Manager by managing and monitoring appropriate performance indicators, making adjustments as needed to assure adherence to programmatic expectations; Provides oversight to BHIP team operations in order to assure comprehensive provision of collaborative care; Assists the BHIP Program Manager by managing, monitoring, and adjusting site-based and individual productivity metrics to address inefficiencies and assure systemic growth; Provides local operational oversight around utilization, bookability, and performance metrics, assures grid accuracy and maintains DSS mapping to meet programmatic expectations. Hires and trains all BHIP staff at a given site; Resolves informal complaints and grievances; develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary; Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area; Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests; Assures that subordinates are properly trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations; Establishes and monitors clinic profiles in terms of availability, utilization and scheduling, and staff productivity; Reports gaps in resources, either personnel or equipment, in a timely manner to the ACOS Office and appropriate management team members. Attends site management meetings and serves as a liaison with delegated authority as needed to address site specific operational concerns; Works with the facility management to maintain a clear understanding of policy and up to date procedures concerning local safety issues, disaster planning, and related preparedness concerns; Communicates with other MH Managers and MH Administrative Officer regarding any space needs or issues at a given site. This includes acting as the MH POC and MH liaison, directing issues to and reporting back from the appropriate authority; Coordinates with and serves as MH liaison to Telehealth, BDMS, Clinical Informatics, IT and other services as needed in order to facilitate efficient clinical operations and address local problems across programs; Completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at the program, service line and medical center level; Coordinates with facility management to assure that engineering and physical plant concerns are addressed in a timely manner; Participates in root cause analysis and addresses action plan items related to patient safety and patient care issues. Diagnostic assessment of the patient's present mental and social functioning based on developmental and vocational history that can be used by others for treatment planning or disability rating purposes. Use of the DSM 5-TR to make clinical assessments and develop psychotherapeutic modalities including referral to a psychiatrist for prescription of appropriate medications or clarification of diagnosis. Represent VA NCHCS at professional community group/events and committees, in conferences/meetings with higher ranking managers, supervisors, and staff from other disciplines or work units, and/or with representatives of local public interest groups, congressional district offices and employees of state and local governments, as requested. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule Full Time; Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency Telework: Authorized ad hoc as per agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/. NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0101 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment. English Language Proficiency: LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager), GS-13 Experience, Education and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. The experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Assignments. LPMHCs manage the daily operations of multiple programs, develop and implement program policies and procedures, or serve as chief or principal counselor to a number of LPHMCs. They are responsible for oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and monitoring of outcomes. They prepare reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national leadership. Decisions may affect staff and other resources associated with the programs managed and are made while exercising wide latitude and independent judgment. They may be responsible for the program's budget. They may also supervise employees assigned to the program. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1. Ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management. 2. Ability to monitor program outcomes using data driven quality assurance process. 3. Ability to develop productivity standards appropriate to each service provided. 4. Ability to manage a wide range of programs which include the operation and management of key clinical, training or administrative programs. References: VA Handbook 5005/106, Part II, Appendix G43, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor Qualification Standards, GS-0183, Veterans Health Administration, The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13 Physical Requirements: Hearing required (aid permitted). Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
